Dozens of heritage sites in Lebanon were granted "provisional enhanced protection" by UNESCO on Monday, offering a higher level of legal shielding as fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah militants.
The 34 cultural properties affected "now benefit from the highest level of immunity against attack and use for military purposes", the United Nations cultural body said in a statement.
Several Israeli strikes in recent weeks on Baalbeck, in the east, and Tyre, in the south, hit close to ancient Roman ruins designated as World Heritage sites. UNESCO said the decision "helps send a signal to the entire international community of the urgent need to protect these sites".